JP5948975B2 - Lens cap - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens cap used in an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera or a digital video camera (hereinafter referred to as “digital camera”), a movable lens barrel that holds at least one lens is provided inside a fixed barrel, and the movable lens barrel is provided. However, there is a lens barrel that uses a lens barrel that appropriately feeds out from the fixed barrel and accommodates in the fixed barrel. Such a lens barrel is known to protect the lens barrel, particularly the lens provided in the movable lens barrel, by attaching a lens cap to the fixed barrel when the movable lens barrel is stored. Yes.

  In such a lens cap, an annular mounting portion for mounting on the fixed barrel, a plurality of barriers covering the tip of the movable lens barrel inside the mounting portion, and each of the barriers are rotatably supported. Therefore, what is provided with the support location provided in the mounting part is considered (refer patent document 1). In this lens cap, when the movable lens barrel is drawn out from the fixed barrel, the barrier is opened by pushing the back surface of the barrier at the tip of the movable lens barrel. Further, in the lens cap, when the movable lens barrel is housed in the fixed barrel, the barrier is not pressed from the front end portion of the movable lens barrel, so that the barrier is closed. This eliminates the need for the user to attach and remove the lens cap, improving usability.

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, the barrier moves in a direction other than the rotation direction with respect to the support location by play provided between each support location and each barrier in order to maintain the productivity of the assembly work. So-called play can occur. For this reason, in the prior art, there is room for improvement with respect to the influence of the play caused by play on the gaps between the barriers in the state where the inside of the mounting portion is closed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the effect of backlash caused by play between the support location and the barrier on the gap between the barriers in the state where the inside of the mounting portion is blocked. An object of the present invention is to provide a lens cap that can be improved.

The lens cap according to claim 1 is a lens cap that is attached to a lens barrel including a movable lens barrel that allows the lens barrel to be extended from the fixed barrel in the direction of the photographing optical axis and to be retracted into the fixed barrel. An annular mounting portion for mounting on the fixed barrel, a plurality of barriers covering the tip of the movable lens barrel while closing the inner side of the mounting portion, and opening and closing each of the barriers perpendicular to the direction of the photographic optical axis A plurality of support points provided in the mounting portion to be individually supported so as to be rotatable around an axis, and the barriers toward one of the opening and closing axis directions of the support points where the barriers are rotatable. And a pressing mechanism provided at each of the support locations to apply a pressing force to each of the supporting portions, wherein each pressing mechanism has a rotation direction in which the direction of pressing each barrier is centered on the central axis of the mounting portion Unify in the same direction It is characterized that you have.

  In the lens cap according to claim 1, the influence on the gap between the barriers in a state where the inner side of the mounting portion of the backlash is blocked due to play provided between the support portion and the barrier is improved. Can do.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a digital camera 10 having a lens barrel 13 as an example of an attachment target of a lens cap 50 according to the present invention, in which (a) shows a movable lens barrel 40 housed inside an exterior part 32; (B) shows a state in which the movable lens barrel 40 is extended from the exterior part 32 (photographing state). 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a control block in the digital camera 10. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic cross section for explaining the configuration of the lens barrel 13. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a lens barrel side connecting portion of the lens barrel 13 and shows a state in which a ring cap is removed from the lens barrel side connecting portion. It is explanatory drawing which shows the digital camera 10 with which the lens cap 50 was mounted | worn with the lens barrel 13, (a) is a front view which looked at the mode that the lens cap 50 was closed from the front (object side), ( FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the lens cap 50 in the necessary open state as seen from the diagonally upper side on the front side (subject side). It is explanatory drawing which shows the lens cap 50, (a) shows a mode that it looked from the front (object side) in a mounting state, (b) shows a mode that it looked from the back surface (movable lens barrel 40 side) in a mounting state. Show. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged periphery of a single barrier 52 while disassembling each component of the lens cap 50. It is sectional drawing obtained along the II line of FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the barrier 52, (a) shows a mode that it looked from the front end side (subject side), (b) shows a mode seen from the back side (back side). FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of a support location 53 of the mounting portion 51 and a mounting location 66 of the barrier 52 that are the premise of the lens cap 50. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 10 schematically showing the support location 53 of the mounting portion 51 and the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52 in order to explain the pressing mechanism 80 that is a characteristic part of the lens cap 50. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining setting of a pressing direction of each pressing mechanism 80 in the lens cap 50. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 11 schematically showing the pressing mechanism 80A of the lens cap 50A of Example 1 together with the support location 53 of the mounting portion 51 and the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52. FIG. It is a perspective view showing torsion spring 73A used for lens cap 50A (its pressing mechanism 80A). 11 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 11 schematically showing the pressing mechanism 80B of the lens cap 50B of Example 2 together with the support location 53 of the mounting portion 51 and the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52. FIG. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 12 for demonstrating the setting of the pressing direction of each pressing mechanism in the lens cap of another example, (a) shows the pressing direction of each pressing mechanism 80C in the lens cap 50C, (b ) Shows the pressing direction of each pressing mechanism 80D in the lens cap 50D, (c) shows the pressing direction of each pressing mechanism 80E in the lens cap 50E, and (d) shows the pressing direction of each pressing mechanism 80F in the lens cap 50F. Show.

  Embodiments of a lens cap according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, the concept of the lens cap according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 3, for easy understanding, the exterior portion 32 and the base member 33 are indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the other members are schematically shown in cross section. In FIG. 6B, the torsion spring 73 is omitted for easy understanding.

  First, a digital camera 10 as an example of an imaging apparatus having a lens barrel 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 10 is provided with a lens barrel 13 having a photographing optical system 12 on the front side of the camera body 11 (the front side when FIG. 1 is viewed from the front). In the illustrated example, the lens barrel 13 is configured as a lens barrel unit that is detachable from the camera body 11. The photographing optical system 12 includes a plurality of optical members such as a first lens group 12a arranged closest to the subject, another lens group 12b, a shutter / aperture unit 12c including a shutter and an aperture stop (see FIG. 3), and the like. Is provided. The lens barrel 13 is moved from a predetermined storage position (see FIG. 1A) to a predetermined shooting standby position (see FIG. 1B) along the optical axis of the shooting optical system 12 (shooting optical axis OA). It is possible to move it out and move it into a predetermined storage position (advance and retreat movement).

  The camera body 11 is provided with a power switch 14, a shutter button 15, and a mode switching dial 16 as an operation unit on the upper surface (the upper surface when FIG. 1 is viewed from the front). The power switch 14 performs an operation (starting operation) for starting the digital camera 10 and an operation (stopping operation) for stopping the digital camera 10. The shutter button 15 is a pressing operation member that is pressed down when photographing a subject. The mode switching dial 16 is used to set various scene modes, still image modes, moving image modes, and the like. Further, although not shown clearly, other operation switches 17 and a display unit 24 (display surface thereof) described later are provided on the back of the camera body 11 (see FIG. 2). The display unit 24 displays an image based on imaged image data or image data recorded on a recording medium. The operation switch 17 is a direction instruction switch or various switches for setting each menu.

  In the digital camera 10, by pressing the shutter button 15, the image data of the subject image received on the light receiving surface of the imaging device 22 (see FIG. 3 or the like) described later through the photographing optical system 12 is recorded. The photographing optical system 12 includes a plurality of optical members (a first lens group 12a, another lens group 12b, a shutter / aperture unit 12c and the like (see FIG. 3)), and an image sensor 22 (see FIG. 3 and the like). It has. The photographing optical system 12 is configured as a zoom lens having a variable focal length by a plurality of optical members (a first lens group 12a, another lens group 12b, a shutter / aperture unit 12c, etc.). An imaging element 22 (to be described later) is disposed at the imaging position of the photographing optical system 12 (see FIG. 3 and the like). In this specification, an optical axis line in the photographing optical system 12 (a rotationally symmetric axis serving as a central axis position of each optical member including the first lens group 12a) is defined as a photographing optical axis of the photographing optical system 12, that is, the lens barrel 13. OA.

  The digital camera 10 shown in FIG. 1A is when the power is turned off (the power switch 14 is in an OFF state), and the photographing optical system 12 (movable lens barrel 40 described later) has a fixed cylinder 35 (exterior portion 32) described later. ) In the storage position. Also, the digital camera 10 shown in FIGS. 1B and 3 is in a fixed cylinder, which is when the power is turned on (the power switch 14 is in an ON state) and the photographing optical system 12 (movable lens barrel 40, which will be described later). It is a shooting standby position that is drawn out from the 35 (exterior portion 32) in the direction of the shooting optical axis OA.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 10 includes a control unit 21, the above-described imaging element 22, a lens barrel driving unit 23, and the above-described display unit 24. The control unit 21 performs a drive process based on operations performed on the power switch 14, the shutter button 15, the mode switching dial 16, and the operation switch 17 as an operation unit, a process for generating image data based on a signal from the image sensor 22, The control of the lens barrel drive unit 23 and the display unit 24 is controlled by a program stored in the storage unit 21a. The control unit 21 acquires an image with the imaging element 22 via the photographing optical system 12 and appropriately displays the image on the display unit 24 provided on the rear surface side of the camera body 11.

  The image sensor 22 is composed of a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor, and an object signal (see FIG. 3) formed on the light receiving surface through the photographing optical system 12 is converted into an electrical signal (image data). Convert to and output. The output electrical signal (image data) is transmitted to the control unit 21.

  The lens barrel drive unit 23 moves the lens barrel 13 with respect to the fixed cylinder 35 as described later in order to shift the lens barrel 13 between the storage position (see FIG. 1A) and the photographing standby position (see FIG. 1B). By moving the movable lens barrel 40 (the rotary cylinder 37, the rectilinear cylinder 38, and the lens holding cylinder 39), an optical member holding frame (not shown) that supports each optical member of the photographing optical system 12 is moved. .

  The lens barrel 13 holds each optical member (the first lens group 12a, the other lens group 12b, the shutter / aperture unit 12c, etc.) of the photographing optical system 12 so as to be movable in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA (FIG. 3). reference). As shown in FIG. 1, the lens barrel 13 includes a housing 31 and an exterior portion 32 provided therein. The casing 31 has a box shape as a whole, and in this example, as described above, although not shown, it can be attached to and detached from the camera body 11 (see FIG. 1 and the like). A base member 33 (see FIG. 3) is accommodated inside the housing 31. Although not shown, the base member 33 is attached to the casing 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the base member 33 includes a plurality of electronic components (not shown) mounted on a substrate (not shown) and the image sensor 22 in the casing. 31 is fixed. Each of the electronic components and the image sensor 22 constitute an electronic circuit unit together with a substrate (not shown). Although not shown, the casing 31 is provided with a driving device as a lens barrel driving unit 23 (see FIG. 2) that applies a driving force to a rotating cylinder 37 described later. An exterior portion 32 is provided on a base member 33 provided in the casing 31.

  The exterior portion 32 includes a ring cap 34 and a fixed cylinder 35. The fixed cylinder 35 has a cylindrical shape as a whole and is provided on the front side (subject side) of the casing 31. At the front end (subject side) of the fixed cylinder 35, as shown in FIG. 4, a lens barrel side connecting portion 36 is provided. The lens barrel side connecting portion 36 is connected to the cap side connecting portion 51a (see FIG. 6 and the like) described later of the lens cap 50 or the ring side connecting portion 34b described later of the ring cap 34, and the lens cap 50 or The ring cap 34 can be attached to the fixed cylinder 35 (lens barrel 13) and separated from the fixed cylinder 35 (lens barrel 13). The lens barrel side connecting portion 36 has an annular recess 36a and three connecting portions 36b. The annular recess 36a has an outer periphery of the fixed cylinder 35 that extends over the entire circumference and is contracted in the radial direction (radial direction centered on the photographing optical axis OA), and in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA. It is recessed and formed.

  Further, the three connecting portions 36b are provided at equal intervals in the annular recess 36a when viewed in the rotation direction around the photographing optical axis OA (only two are shown in FIG. 4). Each of the connecting portions 36b is rotated in the rotational direction about the photographing optical axis OA while the outer periphery of the portion contracted in the radial direction by the annular recess 36a in the fixed cylinder 35 is partially protruded outward along the radial direction. It has a claw portion 36c formed by being curved along. In each claw portion 36c, the clockwise direction viewed from the subject side is the positive side of the rotation direction, and the negative end is an open portion 36d that is open to allow entry from the positive side of the rotation direction. . Each connecting portion 36b is a claw of a cap side connecting portion 51a described later by the relative approach of the lens barrel 13 (digital camera 10) and the lens cap 50 or the ring cap 34 in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA. A portion 51b (see FIG. 7) or a claw portion 34c of a ring side connecting portion 34b described later is received by an open portion 36d, and the lens barrel 13 (digital camera 10) and the lens cap 50 or the ring cap 34 are relatively rotated. Thus, one of so-called bayonet-type mounting mechanisms for hooking the claw portion 51b or the claw portion 34c onto the claw portion 36c is constituted. In the lens barrel side connecting portion 36, although not clearly shown, a cap side connecting portion 51a (the claw portion 51b) described later or a ring side connecting portion 34b (the claw) described later is connected to each connecting portion 36b (the claw portion 36c). In a state where the portion 34c) is hooked, a lock pin is provided to be fitted to the portion 34c). A release button 18 is provided on the housing 31 in order to release the state where the lock pin is fitted into the cap side connecting portion 51a or the ring side connecting portion 34b. A ring cap 34 is attached to the fixed cylinder 35 (the front end thereof) via the lens barrel side connecting portion 36.

  The ring cap 34 is attached to the fixed cylinder 35 in order to hide the lens barrel side connecting portion 36 (its uneven shape). The ring cap 34 is configured by providing three ring side connecting portions 34b (only one is shown in FIG. 4) on the inner side of the ring main body portion 34a. The ring main body portion 34 a has a cylindrical shape with a size that can surround the annular recess 36 a of the lens barrel side coupling portion 36 provided in the fixed tube 35 of the lens barrel 13. The ring main body 34a has an outer diameter equal to that of the fixed cylinder 35, and forms a peripheral wall continuous to the fixed cylinder 35 when viewed in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA (see FIGS. 1 and 3). .

  Although the three ring side connecting portions 34b are not clearly shown, they are provided at equal intervals when viewed in the rotation direction around the axis of the ring main body portion 34a. The positional relationship corresponds to the three connecting portions 36 b of the connecting portion 36. Each ring-side connecting portion 34b extends inward along the radial direction (radial direction centered on the axis) from the other open end of the ring main body 34a (on the housing 31 side when mounted on the lens barrel 13). It has a claw portion 34c that is protruded and curved along the rotation direction about the axis. The three claw portions 34c are connected to the lens barrel 13 (digital camera 10) and the ring cap 34 in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA in accordance with the three connections of the lens barrel side connecting portion 36 of the fixed barrel 35. A so-called bayonet type mounting mechanism that can be inserted from the open portion 36d of the portion 36b and is hooked to the claw portion 36c of the connecting portion 36b by relative rotation of the lens barrel 13 (digital camera 10) and the ring cap 34. Of the other.

  The fixed cylinder 35 to which the ring cap 34 is attached is fixed to the casing 31 (its base member 33) as shown in FIG. On the inner peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 35, a key groove (not shown) that receives a helicoid that can be engaged with a rotary cylinder 37 described later and a key protrusion 38 a of a linear cylinder 38 described later so as to interfere with each other. And are provided. The key groove is formed by denting the inner peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 35 outward in the radial direction while extending in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA. A rotating cylinder 37 is fitted on the inner periphery of the fixed cylinder 35.

  The rotating cylinder 37 has a cylindrical shape as a whole. Although not shown, the above-described helicoid and gear portion 37a are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary cylinder 37. The rotating cylinder 37 is driven as a lens barrel driving unit 23 (see FIG. 2) in which a helicoid (not shown) is engaged with the helicoid of the fixed cylinder 35 and the gear portion 37a is fixedly provided to the base member 33. A gear 23b provided on an output shaft 23a of an apparatus (not shown) is screwed. With such a configuration, the rotating cylinder 37 is configured so that the driving force of the lens barrel driving unit 23 (the driving device thereof) is appropriately transmitted via the gear 23b screwed to the gear portion 37a (not shown) as will be described later. Then, it is driven to rotate around the photographic optical axis OA as the central axis in the fixed cylinder 35 and is moved in the direction of the photographic optical axis OA (imaging optical path) relative to the fixed cylinder 35.

  Although not shown, the rotary cylinder 37 is formed with an annular groove and a cam groove on the inner peripheral surface. The annular groove is circumferentially provided along a plane orthogonal to the photographing optical axis OA, and can receive a rotating projection provided on a rectilinear cylinder 38, which will be described later, so as to interfere. The cam groove is formed so as to be displaced in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA while being wrapped around the photographing optical axis OA (inclined with respect to the direction of the photographing optical axis OA). A protrusion (not shown) can be received so as to interfere. A rectilinear cylinder 38 is fitted on the inner periphery of the rotating cylinder 37.

  The rectilinear cylinder 38 has a cylindrical shape as a whole. A key projecting portion 38 a is provided at the base end portion (end portion on the housing 31 side) of the rectilinear cylinder 38. The key protrusion 38 a is inserted into a key groove (not shown) provided on the inner peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 35 across the base end portion (end portion on the housing 31 side) of the rotating cylinder 37. . Although not shown, a rotation protrusion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rectilinear cylinder 38, and the rotation protrusion is inserted into the annular groove of the rotation cylinder 37. For this reason, the rectilinear cylinder 38 is prevented from moving in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA (photographing optical path) with respect to the rotating cylinder 37 and can be rotated about the photographing optical axis OA. Further, the rectilinear cylinder 38 is provided with a rectilinear groove although not shown. The rectilinear groove is formed to extend in the photographic optical axis OA (photographing optical path) direction while penetrating the peripheral wall portion constituting the rectilinear cylinder 38 in the radial direction. A lens holding cylinder 39 is fitted on the inner periphery of the rectilinear cylinder 38.

  The lens holding cylinder 39 has a cylindrical shape as a whole. Although not shown, a cam projection is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lens holding tube 39. Although not clearly shown in the figure, this cam projection is provided so as to protrude from the lens holding cylinder 39 toward the outer side in the radial direction, and is passed through the rectilinear groove of the rectilinear cylinder 38 so as to be able to interfere therewith. The end is inserted into the cam groove of the rotating cylinder 37 so as to be able to interfere. For this reason, when the rotary cylinder 37 is moved in the direction of the photographic optical axis OA while being rotationally driven with respect to the fixed cylinder 35 with the photographic optical axis OA (photographing optical path) as the central axis, the linear cylinder 38 through which the cam protrusion is passed is provided. The crossing position of the rectilinear groove and the cam groove of the rotating cylinder 37 moves in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA. As a result, when the rotating cylinder 37 is driven to rotate relative to the fixed cylinder 35, the lens holding cylinder 39 has the rotating cylinder 37 and the rectilinear cylinder so as to follow the cam locus of the cam groove of the rotating cylinder 37 in accordance with the rotation posture. 38 moves straight in the direction of the photographic optical axis OA (photographing optical path). At this time, the lens holding cylinder 39 is prevented from rotating around the photographing optical axis OA with respect to the rectilinear cylinder 38, that is, the casing 31 (its base member 33).

  Inside the lens holding cylinder 39, the first lens group 12a of the photographing optical system 12 is integrally held. The first lens group 12a is composed of one or more lenses, and has an objective lens that is disposed closest to the subject in the photographing optical system 12. The lens holding cylinder 39 has an annular shape larger than the peripheral edge (outside the effective area) of the front surface of the first lens group 12a (its objective lens) when viewed in the radial direction. For this reason, the front end surface 39 a on the side of the front end of the lens holding tube 39 is exposed at the front end of the lens barrel 13.

  Although clear illustration is omitted inside the rotating cylinder 37 and the rectilinear cylinder 38 that allow the lens holding cylinder 39 to move, other optical members (other lens groups) of the photographing optical system 12 (see FIG. 1 and the like). 12b, shutter / aperture unit 12c, etc.), and other rotating cylinders and other liners for moving the optical member holding frame in the photographing optical axis direction are provided as appropriate. Although not shown in the drawings, the inner peripheral surfaces of the rectilinear cylinder 38 and the rotating cylinder 37 accommodate each optical member provided inward so as to appropriately move other optical members of the photographing optical system 12 in the photographing optical axis direction. A rectilinear groove, a helicoid, or the like that is engaged with a key protrusion or a helicoid of a frame (optical member holding frame, rotating cylinder, liner, etc.) is provided. For this reason, the fixed cylinder 35 (exterior portion 32), the rectilinear cylinder 38, the rotary cylinder 37, and the lens holding cylinder 39, together with an optical member holding frame (not shown), other rotary cylinders, other liners, and the like, the photographing optical system 12 It functions as an optical member housing frame for housing each optical member (not shown) (see FIG. 1 etc.). The lens barrel drive unit 23 functions as an accommodation frame drive unit that appropriately drives the optical member accommodation frame by appropriately rotating the rotary cylinder 37 with a drive device (not shown).

  In the lens barrel 13, the driving force of the lens barrel driving unit 23 (see FIG. 2) (the driving device) is appropriately transmitted through a gear 23 b screwed to the gear portion 37 a of the rotating cylinder 37. The rotating cylinder 37 is rotated in the fixed cylinder 35, and along with the rotation, the rectilinear cylinder 38 and the lens holding cylinder 39 are appropriately moved in the direction of the photographic optical axis OA (imaging optical path) with respect to the fixed cylinder 35. Thereby, in the lens barrel 13, the lens holding cylinder 39 is extended from a predetermined storage position (see FIG. 1A) toward a predetermined photographing standby position (see FIGS. 1B and 3), and Then, the optical member (not shown) of the photographing optical system 12 (see FIG. 1 and the like) is moved as predetermined. In this example, it is assumed that the lens barrel 13 has been requested to extend the photographing optical system 12 (movable cylinder described later) from the fixed cylinder 35 (storage portion) when the power switch 14 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state. Then, the photographing optical system 12 (movable cylinder) is extended from the fixed cylinder 35 (storage section) in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA to be a photographing standby position (see FIG. 1B).

  For this reason, the rotating cylinder 37, the rectilinear cylinder 38, and the lens holding cylinder 39 housed inside the fixed cylinder 35 (exterior portion 32) are an optical member holding frame, other rotating cylinders, other liners, etc. (not shown). At the same time, the lens barrel 13 can be moved forward and backward with respect to the fixed cylinder 35 (exterior portion 32), and the optical elements (the first lens group 12a and other optical members not shown) of the photographing optical system 12 are appropriately photographed. It functions as a movable lens barrel 40 that moves in the direction of the optical axis OA. Further, the lens barrel drive unit 23 functions as an accommodation frame drive unit that appropriately drives the optical member accommodation frame by appropriately rotating the rotating cylinder 37 with a drive device (not shown).

  Next, a lens cap 50 as an example of a lens cap according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the lens cap 50 includes a first lens group 12 a (its objective lens) of the optical element of the photographing optical system 12 held at the tip of the lens barrel 13, particularly the movable lens barrel 40. For protection, the lens barrel 13 is appropriately attached. The lens cap 50 is basically mounted on the fixed barrel 35 (exterior portion 32) of the lens barrel 13 and uses the movable lens barrel 40 that is moved relative to the fixed barrel 35 in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA. The operation of releasing the protection state and returning to the protection state is enabled. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the lens cap 50 includes an annular mounting portion 51 and three barriers 52 that block one open end thereof (the subject side when mounted on the lens barrel 13). Have. The lens cap 50 is mounted on the lens barrel 13 so that the annular mounting portion 51 surrounds the exterior portion 32, and in the mounted state, the axis of the mounting portion 51 coincides with the photographing optical axis OA. Therefore, in the following description, the direction of the photographing optical axis OA in the mounted state and the radial direction that is a radial direction centered on the photographing optical axis OA are basically used. In the following description, in the mounting portion 51, the subject side in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA is the front end side, and the opposite side is the back side.

  The mounting portion 51 is a portion where the lens barrel 13 is attached to the exterior portion 32. In this example, the lens barrel side connecting portion 36 (see FIG. 4) provided on the fixed cylinder 35 of the exterior portion 32. It is possible to attach to. The mounting portion 51 has an annular shape with a size that can surround the annular recess 36 a of the lens barrel side coupling portion 36 provided in the fixed cylinder 35 of the lens barrel 13. As shown in FIGS. 6B and 7, the mounting portion 51 is provided with three cap-side connecting portions 51a (only one is shown in FIG. 7) inward.

  The three cap side connecting portions 51 a are provided at equal intervals when viewed in the rotation direction around the axis of the mounting portion 51, that is, the photographing optical axis OA, and the lens barrel side connecting portion 36 provided in the fixed cylinder 35. The positional relationship corresponding to the three connection points 36b (see FIG. 4). Each cap-side connecting portion 51a protrudes inward along the radial direction from the other open end of the mounting portion 51 (the housing 31 side when mounted on the lens barrel 13), and is centered on the photographing optical axis OA. It has a claw portion 51b (see FIG. 7) formed to be curved along the rotating direction. The three claw portions 51b are connected to the lens barrel side connecting portion of the fixed barrel 35 by the relative approach of the lens barrel 13 (digital camera 10) and the mounting portion 51 (lens cap 50) in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA. 36 can be inserted from the open portion 36d (see FIG. 4) of the three connecting portions 36b, and the claw portion of the connecting portion 36b is obtained by relative rotation between the lens barrel 13 (digital camera 10) and the mounting portion 51. It constitutes the other of the so-called bayonet-type mounting mechanism that hooks onto 36c.

  In the mounting portion 51, three support portions 53 (only one is shown in FIG. 7) are formed. Each of these three support portions 53 constitutes a portion that supports the barrier 52 in the mounting portion 51, and is provided at equal intervals when viewed in the rotation direction around the photographing optical axis OA. Each support portion 53 has a receiving recess 54 and a pair of bearing protrusions 55. The receiving recess 54 is formed by partially notching the upper end portion (front end side) of the mounting portion 51. When viewed in a cross section obtained along the radial direction, the receiving recess 54 is, as shown in FIG. 8, a flat surface whose inner side is substantially orthogonal to the photographing optical axis OA, and is curved upward (front end side) therefrom. The outer edge portion 54a is provided on the outer side. As will be described later, the outer edge portion 54a has a radial direction in order to secure a rotation range in the opening direction of the barrier 52 (the attachment portion 66) attached to the support portion 53 (received in the receiving recess 54). As it goes outward, it is inclined to be displaced toward the subject side in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA. In the receiving recess 54, a fixing hole 54b is provided on the inner side which is a plane substantially orthogonal to the photographing optical axis OA. The fixing hole 54b has a size that can receive one end 73a of a torsion spring 73 described later (see FIG. 10 and the like).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the pair of bearing protrusions 55 are provided at both end positions of the receiving recess 54 as viewed in the rotation direction around the photographing optical axis OA, and above the receiving recess 54 ( It protrudes to the tip side. The pair of bearing protrusions 55 are provided with shaft holes 55a on the same straight line extending in a tangential direction with respect to a circle having the photographing optical axis OA as the center. The shaft hole 55a is formed so as to penetrate the bearing projection 55 in this example. For this reason, in each support location 53, by inserting the shaft member 56 from the shaft hole 55a of one bearing protrusion 55, the both shaft bearing protrusions 55 are bridged across the receiving recess 54, and the shaft member 56 is arranged. be able to.

  In addition, an annular inner edge notch 57 is formed in the mounting portion 51 at the upper end (the tip side (subject side) when mounted on the lens barrel 13). The inner edge notch 57 is formed by notching the inner side of the upper end of the mounting portion 51 in an L shape along the circumferential direction centering on the photographing optical axis OA. In this example, since the three support locations 53 are provided at the upper end portion of the mounting portion 51 as described above, the inner edge notch 57 is provided so as to span between the support locations 53. A barrier 52 is attached to each of the three support locations 53 of the mounting portion 51.

  As shown in FIG. 6, each of the three barriers 52 has a shape obtained by dividing one open end of the mounting portion 51 (the subject side when mounted on the lens barrel 13) into three parts, One open end of the mounting portion 51 (inward of the mounting portion 51) is closed by being parallel to the circumferential direction centered on the photographing optical axis OA along the radial direction while being attached to the support location 53. It is configured (see FIG. 5A and FIG. 6). Hereinafter, the state of each barrier 52 when one open end of the mounting portion 51 (inward of the mounting portion 51) is closed is referred to as a closed state.

  Each barrier 52 has an arcuate shape (a shape along the mounting portion 51) in which the mounting end 51 is equally divided into three on the support end side (radially outer side (mounting location 66 side)) attached to each support location 53. ing. Further, when each barrier 52 is in a closed state, the inner end side that is the photographic optical axis OA side when viewed in the radial direction has a pointed shape with the photographic optical axis OA at the top. Each barrier 52 is configured to be equal to each other, and therefore will be described using a single barrier 52.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the barrier 52 includes a plane portion 61, a rib protrusion 62, a first auxiliary protrusion 63, a second auxiliary protrusion 64, an outer wall portion 65, an attachment location 66, and a partition wall. Part 67. The flat surface portion 61 is a portion that exists along a surface orthogonal to the photographing optical axis OA at one open end of the mounting portion 51 in the closed state, and has a flat plate shape. The flat portion 61 has an arc shape in which the outer edge portion 61a on the outer wall portion 65 side is equally divided into three mounting portions 51 (annular shape). Further, the flat surface portion 61 is moved to the positive side in the rotation direction around the photographing optical axis OA as the both side edge portions 61b adjacent to the other barriers 52 move radially outward from the photographing optical axis OA. And curved so as to be displaced (in a so-called spiral shape) (see FIGS. 5 and 6). That is, in the flat portion 61, one side edge portion 61b is convex and the other side edge portion 61b is concave. A rib protrusion 62 is provided on the flat surface portion 61.

  The rib protrusion 62 extends from the back side of the flat surface portion 61 (the surface facing the movable lens barrel 40 in the closed state) from the center of the outer edge portion 61a to the apex position (the photographing optical axis OA) of the flat surface portion 61. It is formed so as to protrude in the direction of the photographic optical axis OA while extending toward it. That is, the rib protrusion 62 is formed to extend in the radial direction between the center of the outer edge portion 61a and the tip position (the photographing optical axis OA) of the flat portion 61. In this example, the protruding amount of the rib protrusion 62 from the flat surface 61 (the back side) is constant. The rib protrusion 62 is provided with a through hole 62a (see FIG. 6B) that penetrates the rib protrusion 62 at an intermediate position viewed in the radial direction. The through-hole 62a has a size that allows a tip 73c (see FIG. 7) of the other end 73b of the torsion spring 73 to be described later to pass therethrough. In each barrier 52, the rib projecting portion 62 constitutes a back surface that is a surface facing the movable lens barrel 40 in the closed state in cooperation with the flat surface portion 61. For this reason, in the back surface of the barrier 52, it is set as the structure where another location is dented with respect to the location in which the rib projection part 62 in the plane part 61 was provided.

  The first auxiliary protrusion 63 is formed so as to protrude in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA from the flat surface portion 61 (the back side) while extending in the radial direction. The first auxiliary projection 63 is provided in parallel with the rib projection 62 at a position between the end of the rib projection 62 on the outer edge portion 61a side and the location where the through hole 62a is provided. Yes. The first auxiliary protrusion 63 is provided between the rib protrusion 62 with an interval capable of receiving the other end 73b of a torsion spring 73 described later (see FIG. 10 and the like).

  The second auxiliary protrusions 64 have a plate shape protruding from the flat surface portion 61 (the back side) while being orthogonal to the radial direction, and are formed in pairs in the radial direction. The second auxiliary projection 64 has a positional relationship in which the through hole 62a is interposed between the second auxiliary projections 64 when viewed in the radial direction (see FIG. 6B), and a distal end portion 73c of the other end 73b of the torsion spring 73 described later is provided. It is provided at an acceptable interval (see FIG. 10 etc.).

  The outer side wall portion 65 is continuous with the outer end edge portion 61a of the flat surface portion 61, has a plate shape curved along the outer end edge portion 61a, and the photographing optical axis OA from the flat surface portion 61 (the back side). It protrudes toward the back side in the direction. The outer wall portion 65 constitutes the peripheral wall portion of the lens cap 50 together with the mounting portion 51 in the closed state of each barrier 52 (see FIGS. 5A and 6). As will be described later, when each barrier 52 attached to the mounting portion 51 is closed, the outer wall portion 65 has a rear end portion (a portion existing on the movable lens barrel 40 side in the closed state) at the mounting portion 51. The size and shape can be fitted in the inner edge notch 57. A mounting portion 66 is provided on the outer wall portion 65.

  The attachment portion 66 constitutes a portion to be attached to the support portion 53 of the mounting portion 51, and is provided at the center of the rear end of the outer wall portion 65 as viewed in the rotation direction around the photographing optical axis OA. Yes. As shown in FIG. 9B, the attachment portion 66 has a receiving recess 71 and a pair of bearing protrusions 72. The receiving recess 71 protrudes radially outward from the outer wall portion 65 (rear end portion), and a central portion of a cylindrical portion extending in a tangential direction with respect to a circle centering on the photographing optical axis OA is partially cylindrical. It is cut into a shape. For this reason, in the receiving recess 71, the outer edge part 71a is provided in the radial direction outer side. The receiving recess 71 constitutes a portion that receives the shaft member 56, a torsion spring 73 (see FIG. 7) described later, and a pressing mechanism 80 (see FIG. 11 and the like).

  Further, a pair of bearing projections 72 are formed at both ends of the receiving recess 71 by cutting out the central portion of the cylindrical portion described above as the receiving recess 71. The receiving recess 71 and the pair of bearing projections 72 (columnar portions constituting them) are sized so as to be accommodated in the receiving recess 54 of the support portion 53 of the mounting portion 51 (FIG. 7 and the like). reference). Further, the outer edge portion 71a cooperates with the outer edge portion 54a of the receiving recess 54 of the support location 53 of the mounting portion 51 when each barrier 52 attached to the mounting portion 51 is closed as described later. The size of the support portion 53 (receiving recess 54) is greatly reduced (see FIG. 6A, etc.).

  As described above, the pair of bearing protrusions 72 are provided at both end positions of the receiving recess 71 as viewed in a tangential direction with respect to a circle having the photographing optical axis OA as the center. The pair of bearing protrusions 72 are provided with shaft holes 72a on the same straight line extending in the tangential direction. Each shaft hole 72 a is formed through the bearing projection 72. For this reason, in the attachment location 66, the shaft member 56 inserted from the shaft hole 55a of the one bearing projection 55 in the state of being disposed in the receiving recess 54 of the support location 53 of the mounting portion 51 is replaced with the both bearing projections. The shaft member 56 can be inserted into the shaft hole 55a of the other bearing projection 55 (see arrow A3 in FIG. 7).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the partition wall portion 67 is continuous with both side edge portions 61 b of the plane portion 61, exhibits a plate shape that curves along the side edge portion 61 b, and extends from the back side of the plane portion 61. It is formed to protrude toward the back side in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA. That is, the partition wall portion 67 is provided at a location where the outer wall portion 65 is not provided in the outer edge portion of the flat surface portion 61. The partition wall portion 67 defines the boundary position between the adjacent barriers 52, and in this example, the protruding amount from the flat surface portion 61 (the back side) is constant (FIG. 9B). reference). For this reason, in each partition wall part 67, what continues to one side edge part 61b of the plane part 61 is made convex, and what continues to the other side edge part 61b of the plane part 61 is made concave. ing. Due to such a configuration, when the three barriers 52 are in the closed state, the barriers 52 are juxtaposed in the circumferential direction about the photographing optical axis OA along the radial direction. Both the partition wall portions 67 face the partition wall portions 67 of the different barriers 52 in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 that can rotate itself as described later (see FIG. 6 and the like).

  Next, assembly of the lens cap 50 will be described. Three barriers 52 are respectively arranged with respect to the three support portions 53 of the mounting portion 51 (see FIG. 6). And as shown in FIG. 7, the torsion spring 73 is arrange | positioned in the attachment location 66 of this each barrier 52 (refer arrow A1). Each attachment point 66 provided with the torsion spring 73 is arranged in the receiving recess 54 between the pair of bearing projections 55 of the corresponding support point 53 (see arrow A2). At this time, one end 73a of the torsion spring 73 is inserted into a fixing hole 54b (see FIGS. 7 and 8) provided in the receiving recess 54 of the support portion 53 (see FIG. 10 and the like).

  Thereafter, the shaft member 56 is inserted from the shaft hole 55a of one bearing projection 55 at each support location 53, and the shaft hole 72a of one bearing projection 72 of the attachment location 66 of each barrier 52 disposed in the receiving recess 54 is provided. Then, through the inside of the torsion spring 73 and the shaft hole 72a of the other bearing protrusion 72, the shaft is inserted into the shaft hole 55a of the other bearing protrusion 55 at each support location 53 (see arrow A3). Accordingly, each barrier 52 is supported by the three support portions 53 of the mounting portion 51 so as to be rotatable about the shaft member 56. For this reason, the shaft member 56 cooperates with the pair of bearing projections 72 of the attachment portion 66 of each barrier 52 and the support portion 53 of the mounting portion 51 and the pair of bearing projections 55, and is orthogonal to the direction of the photographing optical axis OA. The barrier 52 defines an opening / closing axis that is the center of rotation with respect to the mounting portion 51. Therefore, the axial direction of the shaft member 56 is the opening / closing axis direction. Hereinafter, in each of the barriers 52, the rotation direction around the shaft member 56 toward the closed state (see FIG. 5A, etc.) that closes one open end of the mounting portion 51 is referred to as the closed direction, and the closed state. The direction of rotation about the shaft member 56 that is displaced from the subject to the subject side is referred to as the opening direction.

  After that, the other end 73b of each torsion spring 73 is passed along the flat surface portion 61 between the rib projection 62 and the first auxiliary projection 63, and is bent at the tip of the other end 73b (hereinafter referred to as “the other”). , The tip portion 73c) is inserted into the through hole 62a of the rib protrusion 62 and fixed between the second auxiliary protrusions 64 (see FIG. 10 and the like). Each of the torsion springs 73 is set to exert a force that resists the separation of the one end 73a and the other end 73b (the tip portion 73c) in a state in which each barrier 52 is closed. Further, each torsion spring 73 is set such that the force exerted by the torsion spring 73 is smaller than the force that moves the movable lens barrel 40 in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA with respect to the fixed barrel 35 (exterior portion 32) in the lens barrel 13. ing. Each of the torsion springs 73 is rotated in the direction of rotation toward the closed state at the mounting portion 51 provided with one end 73a around the shaft member 56 at each barrier 52 provided with the other end 73b (the tip portion 73c). Give the pressing force of. For this reason, each torsion spring 73 functions as a rotation pressing member that applies a pressing force to each barrier 52 in the closing direction. Thereby, the lens cap 50 is assembled.

  In the lens cap 50 configured as described above, the outer wall 65 can be fitted into the inner edge notch 57 of the mounting portion 51 when each barrier 52 is closed. Is further restricted from rotating in the closing direction (see FIG. 6B, etc.). Since each of the barriers 52 is given a pressing force from each of the torsion springs 73 in the closing direction, it cooperates with the restriction of rotation by the outer wall portion 65 of each barrier 52 and the inner edge notch 57 of the mounting portion 51. By this, it is fixed in the closed state. In the lens cap 50, when a force in the opening direction is applied to each barrier 52, each barrier 52 is rotated in the opening direction around the shaft member 56 against each torsion spring 73.

  Next, attachment of the lens cap 50 to the lens barrel 13 of the digital camera 10 will be described. In the digital camera 10, in the state where the movable lens barrel 40 is in a predetermined retracted position (stored state (see FIG. 1A)), the movable lens barrel 40 is connected to the lens barrel side connecting portion 36 of the fixed barrel 35 of the lens barrel 13. The attached ring cap 34 is rotated with respect to the fixed cylinder 35 in one of the rotation directions around the photographing optical axis OA, and is removed from the fixed cylinder 35 (the lens barrel side connecting portion 36) (FIG. 4). reference). Thereafter, the lens cap 50 is moved from the subject side in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA so as to approach, and the claw portion 51b (see FIGS. 6 and 7) of each cap side connecting portion 51a is connected to the lens barrel side connecting portion of the fixed cylinder 35. It advances to the open part 36d (refer FIG. 4) of 36 corresponding connection places 36b. Thereafter, the lens barrel 13 (digital camera 10) and the lens cap 50 are rotated relative to each other so that each claw portion 51b enters the inside of the claw portion 36c of the corresponding connecting portion 36b. Then, each claw part 51b is hooked on the corresponding claw part 36c, so that each cap side connection part 51a and each lens barrel side connection part 36 are appropriately connected. Thereby, the lens cap 50 is appropriately attached to the lens barrel 13 (the fixed cylinder 35 thereof) (see FIG. 5).

  At this time, in the lens cap 50, the mounting portion 51 is fixed to the fixed barrel 35 (the lens barrel side connecting portion) with respect to the lens barrel 13 which is in a predetermined retracted position (stored state (see FIG. 1A)). 36), and the three barriers 52 do not interfere with each other. Therefore, in the lens cap 50, the three barriers 52 are in a closed state (see FIG. 5A), and the lens barrel 13 (the movable lens barrel 40 and the photographing optical system) is disposed at the front end portion on the subject side. Each barrier 52 is closed along the front end surface of the effective diameter 12 (first lens group 12a (its objective lens)), whereby the front end of the lens barrel 13 is provided in the lens cap 50. It is possible to cover the surface, that is, the effective diameter of the movable lens barrel 40 and the photographic optical system 12 (first lens group 12a (its objective lens)) (see FIG. 5A).

  In the lens cap 50 (the mounting portion 51), when the movable lens barrel 40 is extended from the fixed barrel 35, the front end surface 39 a (see FIG. 3) of the lens holding barrel 39 of the movable lens barrel 40 is provided on each barrier 52. It hits the rib protrusion 62 (see FIG. 6 etc.) constituting the back surface. Further, when the movable lens barrel 40 is extended from the fixed barrel 35, the distal end surface 39a of the rectilinear barrel 38 of the movable lens barrel 40 changes its position as viewed in the radial direction in the rib projection 62 of each barrier 52. By pushing the rib protrusion 62 toward the subject in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA, each barrier 52 is opposed to each torsion spring 73 around the shaft member 56 provided at each support location 53 of the mounting portion 51. It is rotated in the opening direction. In this example, when the movable lens barrel 40 is extended from the fixed barrel 35 to the photographing standby position (see FIG. 1B and FIG. 3), each barrier 52 opens one open end of the mounting portion 51 ( (Refer FIG.5 (b)). At this time, the lens cap 50 is in a state where each barrier 52 exists outside the angle of view in the photographing optical system 12 supported by the movable lens barrel 40 (a state where the angle of view is not set).

  In this lens cap 50, when the movable lens barrel 40 is moved from a predetermined photographing standby position (see FIG. 1B) to a predetermined retracted position (stored state (see FIG. 1A)), each barrier 52 receives the pushing force in the closing direction from each torsion spring 73, so that the operation opposite to that described above is performed, and each barrier 52 is changed from the open state (see FIG. 5B) to the closed state (see FIG. 5). 5 (a)). For this reason, the lens cap 50 does not hinder the movement of the movable lens barrel 40 in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA, and each barrier 52 is moved out from the fixed barrel 35 of the movable lens barrel 40 according to the feeding operation and the feeding operation. Can be automatically opened and closed.

  Next, the characteristic part of the lens cap 50 as an example of the lens cap according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view schematically showing the configuration of the support location 53 of the mounting portion 51 and the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52, which are the premise of the lens cap 50. FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 10 schematically showing the support location 53 of the mounting portion 51 and the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52 in order to explain the pressing mechanism 80 that is a characteristic part of the lens cap 50. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the setting of the pressing direction of each pressing mechanism 80 in the lens cap 50. 10 and 11 schematically show the configuration of the support portion 53 of the mounting portion 51 of the lens cap 50 and the attachment portion 66 of the barrier 52 (also the pressing mechanism 80 in FIG. 11) for easy understanding. Yes. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the play P at the support location 53 is highlighted for easy understanding, but it does not necessarily match the actual configuration. Furthermore, in FIG. 10, the gap Ga between the barriers 52 is emphasized for easy understanding, but it does not necessarily match the actual configuration. Next, in FIG. 11, the gap Gb between the barriers 52 is highlighted for easy understanding, but it does not necessarily match the actual configuration. In FIG. 12, for easy understanding, each barrier 52 in the lens cap 50 and its attachment location 66 (each support location 53 that supports the barrier 52) are schematically shown, and the pressing direction by each pressing mechanism 80 is indicated by an arrow Ap. Is shown.

  In the lens cap 50, as described above, the attachment portion 66 of each barrier 52 is supported by the corresponding support portion 53 provided in the mounting portion 51 so as to be rotatable around the shaft member 56. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10, each support location 53 of the mounting portion 51 is within an allowable error with respect to the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52 when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 (opening / closing axis direction). , A so-called play (hereinafter also referred to as play P) is provided. This is because there is a variation so-called tolerance within the allowable error at the attachment point 66 of each barrier 52 and each support point 53 of the mounting portion 51. At each support location 53 of the mounting portion 51, the play P can smoothly rotate the assembled barrier 52 while maintaining the productivity of the assembly operation of the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52. However, such play P allows the attachment point 66 to move in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 at the support point 53 (the receiving recess 54). On the other hand, a so-called backlash in which each barrier 52 moves in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 may occur. Each barrier 52 is provided with a torsion spring 73 whose one end 73 a is inserted into a fixing hole 54 b (see FIG. 8) provided in the receiving recess 54 of the support portion 53. However, similar play is also provided in the fixing hole 54b. Here, since each of the barriers 52 has the above-described configuration, the partition wall portions 67 that are arranged in the circumferential direction centered on the photographing optical axis OA along the radial direction when the barrier 52 is closed. However, they face each other in their opening / closing axis direction (axis direction of the shaft member 56). From this, in each barrier 52, when it is in the closed state, between the partition wall portions 67 that are arranged in the circumferential direction around the photographing optical axis OA along the radial direction, It is necessary to provide the gap Ga considering the play P. This gap Ga is an interval provided along the direction in which both partition wall portions 67 of each barrier 52 in the closed state face the partition wall portions 67 of different barriers 52, and each barrier 52 can rotate. Even if the barrier 52 moves (back) in the axial direction (open / close axis direction) of the shaft member 56, the opening / closing operation of each barrier 52 is prevented from being hindered.

  In the lens cap 50 according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11, a pressing mechanism 80 is provided between each support location 53 of the mounting portion 51 and the attachment location 66 of each barrier 52. The pressing mechanism 80 pushes the barrier 52 toward one side in the axial direction (opening / closing axial direction) of the shaft member 56 that is the rotation center of the barrier 52 that is rotatable with respect to the support portion 53 of the mounting portion 51. (See arrow Ap). The barrier 52 is pressed toward one side in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 by the pressing mechanism 80, whereby a mounting position 66 (a bearing located on one side when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 among the both bearing projections 72). A protrusion 72 (hereinafter also referred to as one-side bearing protrusion 72b) is a bearing protrusion 55 (hereinafter referred to as one of the two bearing protrusions 55 as viewed in the axial direction of the shaft member 56). Then, it is also pressed against the one-side bearing protrusion 55b)). As described above, the pressing mechanism 80 pushes the barrier 52 toward one side in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 when the lens cap 50 is in the closed state. It is because it is the structure (refer FIG.6, FIG.7 etc.) which opposes the wall part 67 in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 which self-rotated.

  In the lens cap 50, the pressing mechanism 80 pushes the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52 on the axis (opening / closing axis) of the shaft member 56 at each support location 53 of the mounting portion 51. Thereby, each barrier 52 is displaced toward one side in the axial direction on the axis line of the shaft member 56 by the pressing mechanism 80, whereby the whole is displaced to one side in the axial direction. This is because the attachment portion 66 is configured to pass the shaft member 56 through the shaft holes 72 a of the both bearing projections 72 so that the barrier 52 is rotatable with respect to the shaft member 56.

  Further, in the lens cap 50, the setting of the gap (gap Ga (see FIG. 10)) between the partition wall portions 67 of each barrier 52 is changed in accordance with the provision of the pressing mechanism 80. That is, each of the barriers 52 is attached to one end of the support location 53 by the pressing mechanism 80 provided between the attachment location 66 and the support location 53 of the mounting portion 51. Since it is pressed against the portion (one-side bearing projection 55b), the position of the shaft member 56 in the mounting portion 51 in the axial direction (opening / closing axis direction) is set by setting one end portion of the support location 53 and the attachment location 66. Is prevented, and the occurrence of backlash is prevented. The position of the shaft member 56 in the axial direction is a position in the direction orthogonal to the photographing optical axis OA of each barrier 52 in the closed state. In this lens cap 50, it is assumed that no backlash occurs in each barrier 52, and the relative position of each barrier 52, that is, the attachment location 66 (its one side bearing projection 72 b) is one end (one side bearing) of the support location 53. The relative positions of the respective barriers 52 are set from the viewpoint of making the gaps between the respective partition wall portions 67 as small as possible and making them equal to each other on the basis of the state pressed against the protrusion 55b). , That is, the gap Gb between the partition wall portions 67 of the adjacent barriers 52 is set.

  Next, in the lens cap 50, as shown in FIG. 12, the pressing direction (one of the axial direction (opening / closing axis direction) of the shaft member 56) by each pressing mechanism 80 is viewed in the rotation direction around the photographing optical axis OA. Shall be unified in the same direction.

  Because of such a configuration, the lens cap 50 according to the present invention can obtain the following effects (1) to (14).

  (1) The pressing mechanism 80 pushes each barrier 52 toward one side in the axial direction (opening / closing axial direction) of the shaft member 56 serving as a rotation center that is rotatable with respect to the support portion 53 of the mounting portion 51. The attachment portion 66 (the one side bearing projection 72b) of each barrier 52 is pressed against one end portion (the one side bearing projection 55b) of the support portion 53. For this reason, in each support location 53 of the mounting portion 51, the attachment location 66 is prevented from moving in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 regardless of the play P provided between the support location 53 and the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the barriers 52 from rattling with respect to the mounting part 51 (the support points 53). Thus, since the backlash of each barrier 52 is prevented, quality can be improved.

  (2) The pressing mechanism 80 rotates the mounting portion 66 toward one side of the axial direction of the shaft member 56 that is the rotation center of the barrier 52 that is rotatable with respect to the supporting portion 53 of the mounting portion 51. Since the respective barriers 52 are prevented from rattling by being pressed against the end of each of the barriers 52, the distance between the barriers 52 in the closed state, that is, the gap Gb between the partition wall portions 67 of the adjacent barriers 52 is stabilized (gap Gb can be prevented from fluctuating). This is because, in the closed state of the lens cap 50, both the partition wall portions 67 of each barrier 52 face the partition wall portions 67 of the different barriers 52 in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 that can rotate. (See FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, etc.)

  (3) Since the gap Gb between the partition wall portions 67 of each barrier 52 in the closed state is stable, the appearance quality can be improved.

  (4) An attachment point 66 in which the pressing mechanism 80 is configured to freely rotate the barrier 52 with respect to the shaft member 56 by passing the shaft member 56 through the shaft holes 72a of the both bearing projections 72 at each support point 53 of the mounting portion 51. Is pushed on the axis of the shaft member 56, the entire barrier 52 can be displaced in one of the axial directions.

  (5) Since the pressing mechanism 80 presses the attachment portion 66 on the axis of the shaft member 56 at each support location 53 of the mounting portion 51, the pressing force from the pressing mechanism 80 is the shaft member 56 and both bearings. Acting as a frictional force between the protrusion 72 (the shaft hole 72a) can be extremely reduced.

  (6) Assuming that no backlash occurs in each barrier 52, their relative positions, that is, the attachment location 66 (its one side bearing projection 72 b) pushes against one end (one side bearing projection 55 b) of the support location 53. From the viewpoint of making the gaps between the partition wall portions 67 as small as possible and making them equal to each other with reference to the applied state, the relative positions of the barriers 52 are set, and their intervals, that is, adjacent to each other. Since the gap Gb of the partition wall portion 67 of each barrier 52 is set, each barrier when in the closed state regardless of the play P provided between each support location 53 and each attachment location 66. 52, the relative position in the direction orthogonal to the photographing optical axis OA can be defined with higher accuracy, so that the gap Gb of each barrier 52 can be made extremely small, and the gap Ga (see FIG. 10). than It can be made is.

  (7) Since the gap Gb between the barriers 52 is set to be small, it is attached to the lens barrel 13 of the digital camera 10 and is in a closed state, that is, a state where one open end of the attachment part 51 is closed with each barrier 52. Then, since dust can be prevented from entering through the gap Gb (between the barriers 52), the optical of the imaging optical system 12 held at the tip position of the lens barrel 13, particularly the movable lens barrel 40, can be suppressed. The first lens group 12a (the objective lens) of the element can be protected more appropriately.

  (8) Since the gap Gb between the barriers 52 is set small, the appearance quality in the closed state can be further improved.

  (9) Since the gap Gb of each barrier 52 is set small, when the lens barrel 13 of the digital camera 10 is attached and closed, the photographing optical system is opened from the gap Gb (between each barrier 52). Since the exposure of the first lens group 12a (the objective lens) of the twelve optical elements can be prevented, the appearance quality of the digital camera 10 can also be improved.

  (10) Regardless of the play P provided between each support location 53 and each attachment location 66, the relative position of each barrier 52 in the direction orthogonal to the photographing optical axis OA when in the closed state Can be defined more accurately, the gap Gb of each barrier 52 can be set equal to each other. For this reason, external appearance quality can be improved more.

  (11) Since the gaps Gb between the barriers 52 are equal to each other and set to be small, the appearance quality in the closed state can be further improved.

  (12) The pressing direction by each pressing mechanism 80 (one of the axial direction (opening and closing axis direction) of the shaft member 56) is unified in the same direction as seen in the rotation direction around the photographing optical axis OA. Since each barrier 52 can be positioned in the same rotational direction in the mounting portion 51, the relationship between the two partition wall portions 67 can be made equal in any gap Gb. For this reason, the external appearance quality in a closed state can be improved more.

  (13) Since the play P itself is not eliminated, the productivity of the work of assembling the attachment location 66 of each barrier 52 to each support location 53 of the mounting portion 51 is equivalent to the case where each pressing mechanism 80 is not provided. In addition, the barrier 52 can be smoothly rotated by the assembly.

  (14) By preventing the backlash from occurring in each barrier 52, the gap Gb between the adjacent barrier walls 67 of each barrier 52 is reduced by setting the relative position of each barrier 52. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the partition wall portions 67 of the respective barriers 52 from coming into contact with each other in the closed state (including a state close to that when viewed in the rotational posture). The rotation in the opening direction and the rotation in the closing direction to the closed state can be made smooth.

  Therefore, in the lens cap 50 according to the present invention, the play P provided between the support portion 53 and the barrier 52 in the gap between the barriers 52 when the mounting portion 51 is closed inward (closed state) is provided. The influence of the resulting play can be improved.

  Next, a lens cap 50A of Example 1 which is an example of a specific configuration of the lens cap according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The first embodiment shows each pressing mechanism 80A as an example of a specific configuration of each pressing mechanism in the lens cap (lens cap 50A) according to the present invention. Since the basic configuration of the lens cap 50A of the first embodiment is the same as that of the lens cap 50 of the above-described example, portions having the same configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 11 schematically showing the pressing mechanism 80A of the lens cap 50A of Example 1 together with the support location 53 of the mounting portion 51 and the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a torsion spring 73A used for the lens cap 50A (its pressing mechanism 80A).

  In the lens cap 50A, as shown in FIG. 13, as the pressing mechanism 80A, a torsion spring 73A, a barrier side receiving member 81 provided at the attachment location 66 of each barrier 52, and a shaft side receiving provided on the shaft member 56 are used. Member 82. As shown in FIG. 14, the basic configuration of the torsion spring 73A is the same as that of the torsion spring 73 in the above-described example. And the other end 73b provided. In the torsion spring 73A, one end 73a is provided at one end of the winding portion 73d through which the shaft member 56 is passed, and the other end 73b is provided at the other end of the winding portion 73d. Similarly, it is set to exhibit an elastic force that resists the separation between the one end 73a and the other end 73b (the tip portion 73c). For this reason, the torsion spring 73A functions as a rotation pressing member that applies a pressing force to each barrier 52 in the closing direction, like the torsion spring 73 in the above-described example.

  In addition, in the torsion spring 73A, the winding portion 73d causes the end portion 73e on the one end 73a side and the end portion 73f on the other end 73b side as viewed in the axial direction to be farthest apart in an unloaded state. It is a compression coil spring that exhibits an elastic force that resists the action of approaching in the direction. That is, the torsion spring 73A is configured as a so-called compression torsion spring that exhibits an elastic force in the rotational direction around the axis of the winding portion 73d and an elastic force in the axial direction of the winding portion 73d. . In the first embodiment, the winding portion 73d includes, in an unloaded state, at least a fixing hole 54b provided in the receiving recess 54 of the support location 53 and an attachment location 66 (as viewed in the axial direction of the shaft member 56. The one side bearing projection 72b) has a length dimension larger than the interval between the rib projection 62 in the barrier 52 pressed against the support portion 53 (the one side bearing projection 55b) and a side end surface 62b described later. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 13, a shaft-side receiving member 82 is provided on the shaft member 56 that is passed through the winding portion 73d of the torsion spring 73A. The shaft-side receiving member 82 has a cylindrical shape surrounding the shaft member 56 and is fixed to the shaft member 56. The shaft-side receiving member 82 is set to have a diameter dimension equal to at least the winding portion 73d, and cannot pass through the winding portion 73d. The shaft-side receiving member 82 has an end portion 73e on the one end 73a side of the winding portion 73d in a state where the attachment portion 66 of the barrier 52 is rotatably provided around the shaft member 56 at the support portion 53 of the mounting portion 51. (See FIG. 14) and a bearing projection 72 located on the other side when viewed in the axial direction (opening / closing axis direction) of the shaft member 56 of the both bearing projections 72 of the mounting location 66 (hereinafter also referred to as the other-side bearing projection 72c). Are provided on the shaft member 56 in a positional relationship existing between them. The fixing of the shaft side receiving member 82 to the shaft member 56 may be performed by adhesion, may be performed by welding, or may be integrally formed as the shaft member 56. In the first embodiment, the shaft member 56 is bonded to a shaft hole (not shown).

  Further, a barrier side receiving member 81 is provided at an attachment point 66 of each barrier 52 that is rotatable around the shaft member 56. The barrier-side receiving member 81 is provided at an intermediate position between the receiving recesses 71 where the both bearing projections 72 exist at both end positions. The barrier-side receiving member 81 has the same shape as the both bearing projections 72 and protrudes from the receiving recess 71. ing. Although not shown, the barrier side receiving member 81 is provided with a shaft hole penetrating the barrier side receiving member 81 on the same straight line as the shaft hole 72 a of the both bearing projections 72. The shaft hole has a diameter that allows the shaft member 56 to pass therethrough but prevents the winding portion 73d of the torsion spring 73A from passing therethrough. The barrier side receiving member 81 has a side end face 82a on the other side bearing projection 72c side in the axial direction of the shaft member 56, and an attachment location 66 (its one side bearing projection 72b) is a support location 53 (its one side bearing). It exists on the other side bearing projection 55c side of the support location 53 relative to the side end face 62b of the rib projection 62 in the barrier 52 pressed against the projection 55b). The side end surface 62b is a surface on the side where the other end 73b of the torsion spring 73A is juxtaposed in the rib protrusion 62. The other-side bearing protrusion 55c is a bearing located on the other side (opposite to the one-side bearing protrusion 55b) of both bearing protrusions 55 of the support portion 53 when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 (opening / closing axis line direction). This is a protrusion 55.

  Next, assembly of the lens cap 50A will be described. Three barriers 52 are respectively arranged with respect to the three support portions 53 of the mounting portion 51, and the torsion spring 73 </ b> A is provided between the other-side bearing projection 72 c and the barrier-side receiving member 81 at the attachment portion 66 of each barrier 52. And the shaft side receiving member 82 is arrange | positioned. Each attachment point 66 provided with the torsion spring 73A is arranged in the receiving recess 54 between the pair of bearing projections 55 of the corresponding support point 53. At this time, one end 73a of the torsion spring 73A is inserted into the fixing hole 54b provided in the receiving recess 54 of the support location 53. Thereafter, the shaft member 56 is inserted from the shaft hole 55a of one bearing projection 55 at each support location 53, and one bearing projection 72 (the other side bearing) of the attachment location 66 of each barrier 52 disposed in the receiving recess 54 is provided. The shaft hole 72a of the projection 72c), the shaft hole (not shown) of the shaft side receiving member 82, the inside of the winding portion 73d of the torsion spring 73A, the shaft hole (not shown) of the barrier side receiving member 81, and the other The shaft is inserted into the shaft hole 55a of the other bearing projection 55 at each support location 53 through the shaft hole 72a of the bearing projection 72 (one side bearing projection 72b). Then, the shaft-side receiving member 82 is fixed to the shaft member 56 at an appropriate position on the shaft member 56 by adhesion. The appropriate position on the shaft member 56 means that the side end surface 82a of the torsion spring 73A of the shaft side receiving member 82 on the winding portion 73d side (barrier side receiving member 81 side) is the side of the receiving recess 54 of the support portion 53. This means that it is possible to reach the end portion 73e of the winding portion 73d of the torsion spring 73A in which one end 73a is inserted into the fixing hole 54b. Accordingly, each barrier 52 is supported by the three support portions 53 of the mounting portion 51 so as to be rotatable about the shaft member 56.

  Thereafter, the other end 73b of each torsion spring 73A is passed along the side end face 62b of the flat surface portion 61 between the rib protrusion 62 and the first auxiliary protrusion 63, and the tip end portion 73c at the tip of the other end 73b is ribbed. It is inserted into the through hole 62 a of the protrusion 62 and fixed between the second auxiliary protrusions 64. As a result, the lens cap 50 </ b> A that attaches the pressing force in the closing direction by the torsion springs 73 </ b> A and closes the barriers 52 is assembled.

  In this lens cap 50A, since the shaft side receiving member 82 is fixed at an appropriate position on the shaft member 56, one end 73a of the winding portion 73d of the torsion spring 73A is attached to the side end surface 82a of the shaft side receiving member 82. A side end portion 73e is applied. The winding portion 73d of the torsion spring 73A has the length dimension in the no-load state set as described above, so that the end portion 73f on the other end 73b side pushes against the side end surface 81a of the barrier side receiving member 81. Hit. The winding portion 73d of the torsion spring 73A has the shaft side receiving member 82 (its side end face 82a) as a base point and the barrier side receiving member 81 (its side end face 81a) faces toward one side in the axial direction of the shaft member 56. Then, the attachment portion 66 (the one side bearing projection 72b) of the barrier 52 is pressed against the support portion 53 (the one side bearing projection 55b). Therefore, the torsion spring 73A, the barrier side receiving member 81 provided at the attachment location 66 of each barrier 52, and the shaft side receiving member 82 provided at the shaft member 56 are supported by the support location 53 of the mounting portion 51. It functions as a pressing mechanism 80 </ b> A that pushes the barrier 52 toward one side in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 that is the center of rotation of the barrier 52 that can be rotated.

  Since the lens cap 50A according to the first embodiment has basically the same configuration as the lens cap 50 according to the above-described example, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be basically obtained.

  In addition, in the lens cap 50A of the first embodiment, the pressing mechanism 80A is configured by using a compression torsion spring as the torsion spring 73A. Therefore, the backlash of each barrier 52 is prevented while increasing the number of parts. It can be prevented from occurring.

  In the lens cap 50 </ b> A, a compression torsion spring is used as the torsion spring 73 </ b> A, and the torsion spring 73 </ b> A is wound between the shaft side receiving member 82 provided on the shaft member 56 and the barrier side receiving member 81 provided on the attachment location 66. Since only the line portion 73d is required, a simple configuration can be achieved.

  Therefore, in the lens cap 50 </ b> A of the first embodiment, the play P provided between the support location 53 and the barrier 52 in the gap between the barriers 52 in the state where the mounting portion 51 is closed (closed) is provided. The influence of the resulting play can be improved.

  In the first embodiment described above, the shaft-side receiving member 82 is fixed to the shaft member 56 by adhesion. However, as described above, the shaft-side receiving member 82 may be welded and formed integrally as the shaft member 56. However, the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment. When the shaft side receiving member 82 is formed integrally with the shaft member 56, the shaft hole 55a of each bearing projection 55 of the support location 53, the shaft hole 72a of each bearing projection 72 of the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52, and the barrier In the shaft hole of the side receiving member 81, it is necessary to provide an insertion portion such as a slit that enables the shaft member 56 to be received from a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

  Next, a lens cap 50B of Example 2, which is an example of a specific configuration of the lens cap according to the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG. This Example 2 shows each pressing mechanism 80B as an example different from Example 1 of the concrete structure of each pressing mechanism in the lens cap (lens cap 50B) according to the present invention. Since the basic configuration of the lens cap 50B according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the lens cap 50 according to the above-described example, the same reference numerals are given to portions having the same configuration, and detailed description thereof is omitted. FIG. 15 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 11 schematically showing the pressing mechanism 80B of the lens cap 50B of Example 2 together with the support location 53 of the mounting portion 51 and the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52.

  In the lens cap 50B, as shown in FIG. 15, a compression coil spring 83 is provided as the pressing mechanism 80B. The compression coil spring 83 is a compression coil spring that exerts an elastic force that opposes the operation of causing the one end 83a and the other end 83b seen in the axial direction to be farthest apart in an unloaded state and approaching in the axial direction. In the second embodiment, the compression coil spring 83 of the attachment portion 66 in the barrier 52 in which the attachment portion 66 (the one side bearing projection 72b) is pressed against the support portion 53 (the one side bearing projection 55b) in the unloaded state. The length is larger than the distance between the other side bearing projection 72 c and the other side bearing projection 55 c of the support portion 53.

  This lens cap 50B is the same as the above example except that the compression coil spring 83 is passed between the other side bearing projection 55c of the support location 53 and the other side bearing projection 72c of the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52 in the shaft member 56. The lens cap 50 can be assembled in the same manner. For this reason, the lens cap 50 </ b> B that is applied with the pressing force in the closing direction by the torsion springs 73 to close the barriers 52 is assembled.

  In the lens cap 50 </ b> B, a compression coil spring 83 is provided between the other side bearing projection 55 c of the support location 53 on the shaft member 56 and the other side bearing projection 72 c of the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52. Since the length dimension in the no-load state is set as described above, one end 83a is pressed against the other side bearing projection 55c of the support location 53, and the other end 83b is the other side bearing of the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52. It is pressed against the protrusion 72c. The compression coil spring 83 pushes the other-side bearing projection 72c of the attachment location 66 toward one side in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 with the other-side bearing projection 55c of the support location 53 as a base point, and the attachment location 66 of the barrier 52 (its The one-side bearing protrusion 72b) is pressed against the support portion 53 (the one-side bearing protrusion 55b). Therefore, the compression coil spring 83 presses the barrier 52 toward one side in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 that is the rotation center of the barrier 52 that is rotatable with respect to the support portion 53 of the mounting portion 51. Function as.

  Since the lens cap 50B according to the second embodiment basically has the same configuration as the lens cap 50 according to the above-described example, the same effects as the second embodiment can be basically obtained.

  In addition, in the lens cap 50B of the second embodiment, the pressing mechanism 80B is configured by the compression coil spring 83 different from the torsion spring 73, so that the barrier 52 is closed by the torsion spring 73 in the rotation direction. While pressing, the barrier 52 is pushed in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 by the compression coil spring 83. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the influence of the compression coil spring 83, that is, the pressing mechanism 80 </ b> B, on the rotating operation of the barrier 52 that is in the closed state and is opened against the torsion spring 73.

  In the lens cap 50B of the second embodiment, the barrier 52 is pushed in the rotational direction by the torsion spring 73, and the barrier 52 is pushed in the axial direction of the shaft member 56 by the compression coil spring 83. It is possible to set the amount of force that pushes forward and the amount of force that pushes the barrier 52 toward one side in the axial direction with higher accuracy.

  Further, the lens cap 50B can be configured simply because the compression coil spring 83 need only be disposed on the shaft member 56.

  Therefore, in the lens cap 50B of the second embodiment, the play P provided between the support location 53 and the barrier 52 in the gap between the barriers 52 in the state where the mounting portion 51 is closed inward (closed state) is provided. The influence of the resulting play can be improved.

  In the second embodiment described above, the compression coil spring 83 is provided as the pressing mechanism 80B between the other side bearing projection 72c of the attachment portion 66 of the barrier 52 on the shaft member 56 and the other side bearing projection 55c of the support portion 53. However, as long as the barrier 52 is pushed toward one of the axial directions (opening / closing axial direction) of the shaft member 56 that is the rotation center of the barrier 52 that is rotatable with respect to the support portion 53 of the mounting portion 51. The position where the compression coil spring 83 is provided may be set as appropriate, and is not limited to the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the compression coil spring 83 is used as the pressing mechanism 80 </ b> B. However, the pressing mechanism 80 </ b> B is a shaft serving as the center of rotation of the barrier 52 that is rotatable with respect to the support portion 53 of the mounting portion 51. As long as it pushes the said barrier 52 toward the one of the axial direction (opening-closing axial direction) of the member 56, it may be comprised with a tension spring, may be attracted | pulled by magnetic force, and is repelled by magnetic force. However, the present invention is not limited to the second embodiment.

  In the example and each example described above, an example of the lens cap according to the present invention has been described. However, a movable lens barrel that can be extended from the fixed tube in the photographing optical axis direction and can be moved into the fixed tube. A lens cap mounted on the lens barrel, and an annular mounting portion for mounting on the fixed barrel, and a plurality of barriers covering the tip of the movable lens barrel while closing the inside of the mounting portion A plurality of support portions provided in the mounting portion for individually supporting the respective barriers so as to be rotatable around an opening / closing axis perpendicular to the photographing optical axis direction, and the respective supports in which the respective barriers are rotatable. A lens cap provided with a pressing mechanism provided at each of the supporting locations to apply a pressing force to each of the barriers individually toward one of the opening and closing axis directions of the location, and the examples and implementations described above. The present invention is not limited to.

  In the example and each example described above, one open end of the mounting portion 51 is closed by the three barriers 52. However, the open end can be closed and is fed out from the fixed cylinder (exterior portion). A barrier that is rotatable about an opening / closing axis perpendicular to the photographing optical axis OA with respect to the support portion 53 of the mounting portion 51 so as to be opened by being pushed by the movable lens barrel 40. If the boundary line (both partition wall portions 67) of each barrier in the closed state is configured to be inclined with respect to the axial direction of the shaft member 56 that can rotate itself, the number and shape thereof are appropriately set. What is necessary is just and it is not limited to an above-described example and each Example. Thus, even when the number and shape of the barriers are different, as in the above-described example, the pressing direction by each pressing mechanism 80 (one of the axial directions of the shaft member 56) is set to the photographing optical axis OA. It can be unified in the same direction as seen in the rotation direction as the center. Such an example is shown in FIG. In FIG. 16, the pressing direction by each pressing mechanism 80 is indicated by an arrow Ap similar to FIG. The lens cap 50 </ b> C in FIG. 16A has two barriers 52 </ b> C, and the boundary line between both the barriers 52 </ b> C is a straight line inclined with respect to the axial direction (opening / closing axial direction) of the shaft member 56. . The lens cap 50D shown in FIG. 16B has two barriers 52D. The lens cap 50D has a curved shape (sinusoidal shape) curved so that the boundary line between the two barriers 52D undulates. It is inclined with respect to the direction (open / close axis direction). The lens cap 50E in FIG. 16C has three barriers 52E, and each barrier 52E has a shape that divides the inside of the mounting portion 51 into three parts with the photographing optical axis OA as the center. For this reason, the boundary line of each barrier 52E is inclined with respect to the axial direction (opening / closing axial direction) of its own shaft member 56. The lens cap 50 </ b> F in FIG. 16D has four barriers 52 </ b> F, and has a trapezoidal shape in which two barriers 52 </ b> F that face each other in the diameter direction of the mounting part 51 are curved bottoms along the mounting part 51. The other two barriers 52F have a triangular shape that fills the surplus portions of the two trapezoidal barriers 52F. For this reason, the boundary line of each barrier 52 </ b> F is inclined with respect to the axial direction (opening / closing axial direction) of the own shaft member 56. As described above, in the lens caps 50C, 50D, 50E, and 50F shown in FIG. 16, the direction of pressing by each pressing mechanism 80 (one of the axial directions of the shaft member 56) is the rotation direction about the photographing optical axis OA. And can be unified in the same direction, and the same effect as the above-described example and each example can be obtained. Further, the same effect can be obtained even when the pressing direction Ap by the pressing mechanisms (80C, 80D, 80E, 80F) in the lens caps 50C, 50D, 50E, 50F shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, in the above-described examples and embodiments, each pressing mechanism (80, etc.) directs the attachment location 66 of each barrier (52, etc.) to one side in the opening / closing axis direction (axial direction of the shaft member 56) on the opening / closing axis. However, it is only necessary to push each barrier (52, etc.) toward one of the opening / closing axis direction (the axial direction of the shaft member 56), and is limited to the above-described examples and each example. It is not a thing.

  In the above-described example and each example, the digital camera 10 (imaging device) including the lens barrel 13 is shown as an example of an attachment target of the lens cap 50. However, the feeding from the fixed cylinder (exterior portion) and the fixed cylinder are shown. Any lens barrel having a movable lens barrel that can be transferred to the (exterior portion) may be used, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments.

  In the example and each example described above, the pressing direction (one of the axial directions of the shaft member 56) by each pressing mechanism 80 is unified in the same direction as viewed in the rotation direction around the photographing optical axis OA. Further, the pressing mechanism 80 may be pressed in a different rotation direction, and is not limited to the above-described examples and each example.

  In the above-described example and each example, the cap-side connecting portion 51a (the claw portion 51b) of the lens cap 50 and each connecting portion 36b (the claw portion thereof) of the lens barrel-side connecting portion 36 of the fixed barrel 35 of the lens barrel 13 are used. 36c) is a bayonet-type mounting mechanism, but can be detachably mounted on the fixed barrel 35 in which the movable lens barrel 40 is extended in the direction of the photographing optical axis OA. What is necessary is just and it is not limited to an above-described example and each Example.

  In the above-described example and the second embodiment, the torsion spring 73 is provided in each barrier 52 as the rotation pressing member. However, the rotation pressing member applies a pressing force to each barrier 52 in the closing direction around the opening / closing axis. It may be sufficient, and is not limited to the above-described example and Example 2.

  The lens cap of the present invention has been described based on examples and examples. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the examples and examples, and the design can be changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Or additions are allowed.

10 a digital camera (as an example of a mounting target of the imaging device) 13 a lens barrel (as an example of a mounting target of the lens cap 50) 35 a fixed barrel 36 a lens barrel side connecting portion 40 a movable lens barrel 50, 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, 50E, 50F Lens cap 51 (as an example of a lens cap according to the present invention) 51 Mounting portion 52, 52C, 52D, 52E, 52F Barrier 53 Supporting portion 55 (Defining opening / closing axis) Bearing protrusion 56 (Opening / closing Shaft member 66 for defining the axis 66 Mounting location 72 Bearing protrusion 73 for defining the opening and closing axis 73 Torsion spring 73 (as an example of the rotation pressing member) One end 73b The other end 73A As an example) torsion spring 73d winding 80, 80A, 80B, 80C, 80D, 80E, 0F pressing mechanism 83 (as one example of the pressing mechanism) compression coil spring OA photographing optical axis Gb gap

JP 2011-95717 A

Claims (7)

A lens cap that is mounted on a lens barrel including a movable lens barrel that allows the fixed barrel to be extended in the photographing optical axis direction and to be inserted into the fixed barrel;
An annular mounting portion for mounting to the fixed cylinder;
A plurality of barriers covering the tip of the movable lens barrel while closing the inside of the mounting portion;
A plurality of support portions provided in the mounting portion to individually support the respective barriers so as to be rotatable around an opening / closing axis perpendicular to the photographing optical axis direction;
A pressing mechanism provided at each of the support points to apply a force to individually press the barriers toward one of the opening and closing axis directions of the support points where the barriers are rotatable ;
Wherein the pressing mechanism includes a lens cap pushing direction of the respective barrier, characterized that you have been unified in the same direction as viewed in the rotational direction around the center axis of the mounting portion. Each of the barriers has an attachment point that is attached to each of the support points so as to be rotatable around the opening / closing axis of the barrier.
2. The lens cap according to claim 1, wherein each of the pressing mechanisms presses each of the attachment locations toward one of them on the opening / closing axis.   Each of the barriers is different from the other barriers in the state of closing the inside of the mounting portion on the basis of the state in which the attachment points are pressed against one end of the support points by the pressing mechanisms. The lens cap according to claim 2, wherein the positional relationship is set so as to reduce the gap. The lens cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Further, the plurality of rotary pressing member, wherein a, Relais lens cap that has been found is provided to impart a force to push individually to the each barrier in the direction for closing the inside of the mounting portion in the opening and closing about the axis . Each rotation pressing member is a torsion spring in which one end is fixed to the mounting portion and the other end is fixed to the barrier while surrounding each open / close axis with a winding portion,
5. The lens cap according to claim 4, wherein each of the pressing mechanisms is configured such that the winding portion surrounding the opening / closing axis of each of the rotary pressing members is a compression coil spring . The lens cap according to claim 4 , wherein the pressing mechanism is configured by a compression coil spring surrounding the opening / closing axis . An imaging apparatus including a lens barrel provided with a movable lens barrel that enables extension to and from the fixed barrel from a fixed barrel.
Imaging device according to claim Rukoto comprises a barrel-side connecting portion provided on the fixed barrel so as to enable the mounting of the mounting portion of the lens cap according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .